Layoffs at Clipper Windpower Will Affect 76 Locally

By Dave DeWitte, Reporter

Clipper Windpower on Monday, Aug. 20, 2012, in Cedar Rapids. (Liz Martin/The Gazette-KCRG)

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By Liz Blood

Story Created: Aug 23, 2012 at 4:31 PM CDT

Story Updated: Aug 24, 2012 at 6:55 AM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Clipper Windpower's planned layoffs in Cedar Rapids will begin Aug. 27 and take place through Oct. 31, according to a legally required notice.

The company plans to lay off 76 employees at the Cedar Rapids wind turbine plant at 4601 Blowing St. SW, according to a federal WARN Act notice received by Iowa Workforce Development.

Clipper Windpower is providing affected employees with at least 60 days pay in lieu of providing 60 days advance notification of the layoffs under the WARN Act, Iowa Workforce Development officials said.

Officials of the Carpinteria, Calif., company would not disclose how many Cedar Rapids workers were affected by Monday's announcement, revealing only that 174 positions would be eliminated companywide.

Clipper said Monday that the business faces challenges, and is refocusing its efforts on the company's service business.

United Technologies Corp. sold Clipper Windpower this month to Platinum Equity, a private equity firm. The notice described the event as a permanent layoff.

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